Overview
FAR 23.402 identifies the statutory laws and executive mandates that provide the legal framework for federal environmental regulations, specifically focusing on pollution prevention, chemical reporting, and sustainability.
Key Rules
- Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA): Establishes the requirement for federal agencies and contractors to report on the use and release of hazardous chemicals to support community safety and emergency response.
- Pollution Prevention Act (PPA): Sets the national policy that pollution should be prevented or reduced at the source whenever feasible, rather than focused solely on waste management or disposal.
- Executive Order 14057: Mandates that the federal government lead by example by using its procurement power to achieve a carbon pollution-free electricity sector and a net-zero emissions economy.
Practical Implications
- Contractors operating on federal facilities are often required to provide data for agency environmental reports to ensure compliance with EPCRA and PPA.
- The inclusion of EO 14057 signals a shift in procurement priorities, where contractors' sustainability practices and clean energy capabilities become significant factors in federal acquisition planning and source selection.